TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan to regulate daily fantasy sports in New Jersey was unanimously approved by a Senate committee today.
“As daily fantasy sports continues to gain popularity, many states are struggling with how to efficiently regulate it,” said Whelan (D – Atlantic). “Our bill shows you can have a regulatory model in place that protects consumers while at the same time not overburdening fantasy sports companies.”
The bill, S-1927, directs the Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS) to regulate daily fantasy sports in New Jersey. Daily fantasy sports companies currently in operation, like DraftKings and FanDuel, would be able to continue operations while seeking a permit.
“The reality is that daily fantasy sports isn’t going anywhere,” said Whelan. “We can either do nothing, or we can help attract these fantasy sports companies to New Jersey and protect consumers in the process.”
In October, the Attorney General of New York began an investigation into whether employees at FanDuel and DraftKings were using insider information not available to the general public to play and win on other fantasy sports websites. To safeguard against this and other unfair practices, the bill includes provisions that prohibit fantasy sports employees and their immediate family members from playing games, allow individuals the ability to restrict themselves from playing, and prohibit the sharing of statistical information gathered by fantasy sports companies which could give some players an unfair advantage.
The bill was approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee by a vote of 5-0. It now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration.
